CONSTRUCTION OF "TOURIST CENTER" ON CAYO LARGO RUMORED TO BE RELATED TO EITHER SUBMARINE OR MISSLE ACTIVITY

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06841336
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: March 9, 2023
• Document Release Date: April 21, 2020
• Case Number: F-2020-00655
• Publication Date: October 31, 1960

5.�
"-;� ";'.: REFERENCES CD/00' Ca. � 333097
,
er;:::. � -
� � , ; . - � . ft �
�'. � ; :17
�� $'`
, nATE Or. " �
�.� 1:1���� -�-:����
�r - ;. , � ��
: s:11� D.T;:�,/ co- Tip-ouGhant Cuba; To ..mid-Aug 60 � � � � � ���
�
� � . � � � ... THIS IS 11NEVALUATED INFORMATION �
; . '
� � f-- -� � � � '.1 ,� � � 4. l�
%C:A iRCIJZ4 ITS;nati:Onal;" former noil-commissioned officer in the US Ilaripe Corps., ���.,: �F�; ;.%
hr
-� �4:�� � � ; , 7 � s ' ���� � . = .� ;
: ;'....`����� .4% :V: 1- � - � ; � .- t �," ' � . . . � � :47 1:-.6.1���e���
.!�,..Source is a 23 year ex4"-arine who. spent* the period from I'ebrildrY 1959`,..;;-.� � �
-� - � -;
� . only 1960 serving in. the Cuban. Arnly� and the Air rol-cd. � *a.' ; �z�
,Obtainbd his discharge from. the Cuban Mr Force in June 1960. and returned.'.-�
. , �
�'��'!'":1'fi.�"tol,the'.1JS via Mexico ,City 60. ','According to �sovxee, .had'been%?.,:�;.e
''-nOn;inated:Jey the Marine Cops to enroll. in the 'Naval Reserve Officer
Co.1.4-13 at 6:US 'univasitY even :though he had riot :finished his high schoolc::.
. .
��ieduentiO'ri. ' � lie 'I-aborted*. did not accept this offer.because:hey.as Much :molte
nteresicd in Special Foi-ces. tyPe. activity, .and this led to his decisionl..t6,'��-�: � :-�
:�;.;;�.�3,et-,���ie :the 'Marine and a short time later to enlist. in the Cuban �Arrily.�
-.'Ea'ri-roCarS� to be a: observer. � While source's plans are indefinite he ^ '
'sbou.a bet,.vailaW.p:.:for 'further interview during the ,'next few week.
:
*��., ,
����4:�:.;-;: "� 2; .2' � , ���11.r,��'.
, the :period February-ceinber 1959 I 'Served 'ad. n'Scrgean1;i:itcthe
ParatrOdp Rog-iment. of the Cuban Army. We were stationed at :San ,Antonio:
Pos Air Force 'Esse until May 1959; at whiCh time the Regiment wad'movedi:',.;%;'*-,:-" � t�
blvolute area ipear:ISan Jos{ de las Lajas, a small town about 3.5 miler.;
eft :16utheasst Of riairana�ori..the central highuay.' In December /39,59 � T' transf.a�rice ''� � �
,
�;-�to'the:Cuban. Mr � Force and cis stationed at San ,ju.11.6.n .Air Force 'Base
,
"7. (inactive) �in Pinar, del. �12.4.o ,Prcivince'. � X handled ,tnOst 'ihe' training, for '
--�the.Parata�Opp Reginent-,ai San Antonio de .loo� B.s.os ad.ditiori to ictin.g.
?:���slatoon sergeant for ',Die of the' units... :X.n...liticse capacities :X. got. know ;;-��Z.�'-
int:a-17,-0r: the' men in the .egirient. gnij-..e. well; � '
� � �
� A 'number of my paratroopers *(about 15) were sent to ..Cayo� targo;7 the �-�
� ecatornirost large.. island' of the Archipiele.go de les 'Canarrebs,'� to '.'set up..;
,-.^ .1.whdp was ,officially referred to as a "tourist area 4P srai.a was In 'early.
October' 1959.' '.1�14.en the 'Paratroop Ittictment was' disbanded in Januar-y,1960,:;a.i',
.:.
s� adultiona1-50 paratroopers were sent to Ca ;,;-0 Largo to-toric .on this .Project.'s
do not know. bow.. many Other soldiers were �eneaged, in construction 'projects: on
����� �.` �� � " . � ��� � � ' ' '
��VCE.,,yo Largo is 'an extremely unlikely spot to build a'tourist�*eenteit. The
!...islezcl is extremely remote and .is serviced from the Por(- of ,Cienfuagos Pled: .
"..I.the.Nairali-faci)lity .the tsie. de Pinos.- � The main-lAn&adjacent 'to. Cayb....Largo.'..,
sparseloy populated and it Would appear cinite unlikely that Cuban's.
^ avana would flock .to this remote area.: Mk. island' is . about 13. 1�1.3.es by.roar-;.
� � ' with a. ver:fect bathing beach and� few hills.- .Vegetation,is � '
, tarfro could be'lLried as a base' of bperationa for att*.�arines or..as 6
� '�����' site Rurwrs about both Of these plans were circulating .throuc-,hotit
� �r�--:
, ....������ � �. tht;" are:ed foreeas of Cuba, but X .cerL.neither EOnfirm�noF deny them.''�S-11-q-n--..t.'s?
. � � .. . . .
- �-� .1, � ..� -�-� � � ; - � � t � . � - 4,
���� � I- - .. � ,� � . . � ,..� ��
.Approved for Release: 2020104121C06841336 lif,;:-....-�
. . .
.. � .
, ...� ' ' ' r '' - � - CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGE.YA ' � . - ' 4; c ' *����-�.'''::
� �
. .. ; , �
.. , ,... ' ,1 � '''.� 1 � 4 � t. � 4. .� ' ..... .
�
. . '
.� � Th:i rn3:atiol contains inforfnation affeciing-tFto Notional Defeat� of rho Vnitod Statos.within'tho�meoning of the Et3piono3o jaws; Titla .:... ; s � .
' . 13g, 11.5.O�Socs, 791 mid 794, the transmission or rowstation of which in. any manner to on pnouthotizedsporson rs. prohibited by. Icrty; ...:
- .- ' � t'i � -- . .... 7 ' 1. .,..Z.A. .. �
. .� .;., .1 5,1 � .: �� / 1
���
"�'�
,
� 1'.��� � . � � SECRE
�' � � . I,' � t�:` v', - E 7. � �
�D, �
�-� � �
� � �
� . . .. . .... � . � ....,. . . ,
� ,����� - -. � � '' t - ---2����1:!'� .. � �-� , :- � �� �� ���:t�-�,. �� - . ' �-� -..... :- ''' :.- .,.''', ',.; -..'i.� ;.':'�.' � ' i --; ���' V ���.t.'
�� � : . . ,.. , ..,�. . ..
,.,.�:-..,....cot.n\crRT-:. :t,c.u.'1�I'i'''.-, . ':�?'''. .
� �� � - �:- ';' f. s. _ :-..:REPORT NO.�:-: .�;.::*400-13.,3",170,1?Is� ; . ,.....
, ::: ��� -.--!:*1- '-'-i� '� .!--: -'� A � � ',.. -.: .. � s..1,... . - �-.;., . ' � ..;'� .!
i Y::::,.1.,;�stipiEc-r.,,,:,..cori..structioli 'or, "touria.:Center!' on � ..'7 ' � DATE ,DisTR. ..31.;(ict91)..fr.�154.�:�0 - .1', ''� �
'.' '�'' ::�:���-���''1.-.''� ,... 7' ,' ::,':. ,-:----".7,:t';;::::2.'
" 4.� - . ".' ����� ',� payo' Largo Rumored' to be Related el '...,�-
'4' ."'. � � �S.',' � ... � :.��
to. Ea,ther Su. b;f4rine:' or Mle 'ActiVitY: ': �
.., . . � . -.; :. .',�;. � ,.,,i. 7. i., � .. ,,, �
�;-� � � s� , ,....,er, -� ..,, -.1, --,,-.
NO PAGES J.,?...� ��,'�, " � �,. =
� : .:�., �_ �
' � � � ; = � . ��
����������������
�-, � ' � '
�
r
.1 �f".�:�.72 � '
r'
NAV,7771 AIR -1-11131 I._ � 1.,,E.0
� .
� � �. � � � ;
���,..� � � �������6 � 1,./ /1.�
I ; � gt -
,
� �� .
� � � � � � ; : �'Nti ADIZOAD i)
. .. ,, , , .. � Al :: r:..7,) � - e.,
1 . . ''' i: : A - to rA : nation tttnittd to Aill-fin,o. ornpjoiv.� of CIA. li.ii.1.411a j.,:JJ: 4,,,d. within. State a i i Dotenjs. to tho intottigettdo oom,,,,,,,,� , ,;;;,:',,.� . , .',...
; � ' . ' �,^ fira .13.10 0,,. 4 n ir h 4/71 a ..C. _ .1.1.*M"... ,,ifil th.edr. ilittnb-dh; (0 e77ppoteL,1 von's. Not to 1 1 diacs, ..SrL'efirtt.WY41?.2i)to, ev ;.,,,l , ;; ..e ..,,.. � � '...�. .
I...J.1,1ot oil Chart eV. c,,,i, eat; (Crel.itAl 1,2thylittola w.`to PrOVIOr mon/ fall-tbnci'ernpla. C. of i.4,7taih-Orz....fss .4;,',,;..i.bei.. ..f_rf� , j 0. , � , � �
I.titta.i. ,r,�mi'ttltm af,th* '413^.,,..4 *Moo ha. b43.11.011,..h,,,,f through (Ito At2ist....., Dir....,... toe Co i Pel it ' '' \i..kfICI) . lir c
- - -- -- '. - � -- .' Approved for Release: 2020/04/21 C06841336--- .
� � � -.A roved for Release: 2020/04/21 C06841336 ... .. .
''''� - '�;�.:-�:.3. .. ''.� �'.. -,-..... ....131? � .-, s s ._
7 ..s. � .:.
;�.: 4_ �
,...._�..� N..������-��_ .. 4 � "-- 4 :� � ... ... S"E-C-13-Eri . -1...-- � 140,324. � � . � , .,... � � !,- �� ... �.; .
. ::` � ',. '.. I . � ����� .� ,..: ',, - � , --- ����� ..c..: . r �-
,,,,., ...- - i t.� a�.. � �,..i.��: ����� - '.
, ,.;.f r ... 0 .4 ' 4 '''.; ' : '' ��� ��� % '': : � - ' i -: '. : ' f: �-.:.2�.- . �,-- , � ��'.-!. � .- -� '-; `-� '� ' ' ' ' ."''' ''
, � i .; � .--- .: , .: -....%; ...'.' ...?� .4/ .1.; ' ;''';': I.
' x'-: LI' ,�� ::1'..kli-Y ''p 1 ����., .. � ' .: -'''' r. *.� .. .
......, .. ,..,
� .4
�
� � � � ::: .a � . ....or r,
? '.�":i t. .. 2�..5. ' :{:i 7 tdiked..io',8, Xow of my dz-paratroopers in APril 1960 about their rrlc-on,;',,_ ..-.:',..,..I.
' *ri*.i..�* 1 ...1 �'� ';',,, this' islands. 'and "th'�y told me 'they Imre building a two-lane (ravel � road; ,���,.. t..:-..i.-- ;,- -.:�
- ,',-:,', ��,
-;,�-..th leagth of 'the island e,nd� that construction of numerous cabins vreaz. - � ''.f. ::-
.� I; tirxicr:ii.V�': � �i.: '.; :........'.1 ; - -; :.'.::�''.. : � ���� . '� ; . ..� � �:t!-- :* ;..' ''.. i �`.:( :�.� � ;'-. ', � � ' .: .. ������: :`�*.: ,�-�".:; '...'1.� A
.�
is � . �;:�,� If � �-� � *,� � " %���� 2- � : 7,.v� ��,* 4;�,
-:�5,....,?Dagain.chcctsed v1t1 an exi:)arat.reoper just prior to IV departure fzcn
Itavans. in mid-Aui-,xst. 1960. :cile had. returaed' from* Caro . Largo , 6, 'Tow days -,licfore,
� �-- 3.4ad.,he�reno:�....ted that tho cabins had been doinleted, 1 rto otatsd that guben,
��'!/ Arr."&. Personnel had .constr�ucted a. number *pf groups of cabins, :each; � : �.;
�Gorn containing 25 to. 30 cabins.. Some of the large. cabins ieportedly
- hold to 30 raen.using barracks type accommodations; and the rrzjoi-ity of�Cabinheld a
' �..�!..�
about. 10 men each. Tho oups reporiedly.were.located at :various 'Points -f.."�:-.".;
on CaY' Largo; some in the .central sector, end- others ,on the; beach.....
�
4: , � :
�
C113;1)." r Nfoulci be 'an excellent sPot�fOr�e. secret submarine base Or "mlesiie .�
Stte, iacc- It s surrounded by a number of small islands �which could. be �
csilfi..protecte4". and' patrolled. Deep *yater xls.afon the south side of tue
�i4. � . � �
*land, � and X believe there is a primitive landing. area!oxr...the onth beach..
.1 hac iiewed.the.Island f.rem.the.. air but have not *set *foot on it, therefore j.-
11:1�Tild4uledge is not great.' " 'In mid-1960 the Cuban soldiers . �.. .
.c..LearIng an'area,for'What appeared to be a light ,aircraft-strip
.4
':-.�-���'� � . � .. � :* 4.. e;t: . , � � ' , � ... ff -:.� � "so', 2- "..'�
. . tt � :� � 4.1, - ". � ' . ' : ." � i , . :�� ����� ;": � ..:
,Z do�riet 01y*othex; kiumrs Concerning the location of either. Submir5:CIO.,
'���,! or UuU3110 bases,:i.t.).1\ba up.:tg. the time of my clepartIrs
-eN � . v ..tv� ��� �
)-�v� � � � " � � ���'
s..7 � � ����
�
.') '' .N,....� ::Y 1
.
::. ' 4 �� �AV') ...;I
i-�*, � , � . . � . .': ' . ... �...��� �1�1' � : �,. .. , - .: , ,. , � . ,,,
. ..... k,:. :,�-�._ . . ` ' ". ..' 41 . �,.. . ,..,
...;,rra.70.7ti -- r1/4.� riP piss:�.,,,Hi A6.0
� � ��,-. ..� �:.,-,;, , ���.-,, .,... ,.. ...--
... . . .
. �..,.. �����:: ... . ..
.:: ... ::: � , ,
;1.�: .. � ". , � �I%
�, ; ' � f..�
. : � 's �
:A. �
� " - f "
� . � ,. . . �
Approved for Release: 2020/04/21 C06841336 '�'�
-��